To The Most Illustrious Lady
The Lady Portia Ceri Dell'Anguillara Cesi,
Marquesse of Riano

You know Portia gentle another Sun,
From whom the earthly shadows have light, and life,
If so much to the invisible infinite
Light, working is accustomed to come near.
Hidden from you that flower, those violets,
Of whose sweet odor taken is fallen in love
Your soul, to God is rendered united,
And if thence adorns, and if some prize, and embrace;
Hide from you these rays, and that which induce
The most holy motion, and the repose
In the orb of this soul, and that heart;
Thus in you live, and clear light,
My blessed eyes; you moreover see
The great mysteries of the divine Love.

Original rhyme scheme - ABBA/ABBA/CDECDE

Contentezza D'Amore (Contentment of Love)
Balletto of M. Battistino;

In Praise of the Most Illustrious
Lady Portia Ceri Dell'Anguilara Cesi
Marquesse of Riano

Standing the people facing with both hands taken, as is shown in the picture, they will do together the Riverenza, and 2 Continenze, with 8 Riprese, 4 to the left, and 4 to the right, and another 2 Continenze; then the man will let go of the lady's right hand, and they will do together the Riverenza a little facing.

In the second time, the lady alone walking, will do 2 Puntate grave, 2 Passi, and 1 Seguito ordinario, starting it with the left foot: she will do the same by opposite going to the head of the room, and being careful in doing the final Seguito, to turn her facing to the man: to the end of which they will do together 2 Puntate grave, 1 forward with the left foot, and the other back with the right, and the Riverenza with the left.

In the third time, the man alone will do the same which the lady will have done, and when he will arrive in head of the room, where she will be found, will take her by the ordinary hand, and they will do together 2 Puntate, 1 forward, and the other back, with the Riverenza, as of above.

In the fourth time, walking before the man, in manner of half moon, the lady will do 2 Passi gravi, and 1 Seguito ordinario, starting with the left: she will do the same by opposite, putting her to the left of the man.  The man alone then will do the same, and returning to his place, will take the ordinary hand of the lady, and they will do together 2 Puntate gravi, 1 forward, and the other back, with the Riverenza, as of above.

In the fifth time, they will take the right hand, and will do 2 Puntate: then letting it go, they will change place, and the lady will go to the left hand, and the man to the right, and walking a little distant the one from the other, but always to the pair; they will do 6 Seguiti ordinarii; and when they will arrive in the head of the hall, both hands will be taken as they did in the start of the Ballo: and they will do 2 Puntate, 1 forward, and the other back, with the Riverenza.

In the sixth time, taking it with the left hand, they will do 2 Seguiti spezzati: then letting it go, and walking to the pair, as of above, thence they will do another 6, and when they will be joined at the other head of the hall, both hands will be taken, and they will do 16 Riprese, the first 8 to the left, and the others to the right; after the which they will do 4 Trabuchetti presti, starting each thing with the left, then the man letting go the left hand of the lady, they will be turned together facing, and will put end to the Balletto with the Riverenza.

Lute Tablature, and music of Contentezza d'Amore.


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